Weighing-machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE. No. 579,446. Patented Mar.23,189'7.

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No. 579,446. Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet; 3. F H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE. No. 579,446. Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet; 4. I. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 579,446. Patented Mar. 28, 1897..

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. P. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE. No. 579,446. Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

14 6 67265565: Inventor: W M My. M

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

FRAN ?IS ll. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNE YIOUT.

WElGHiNG-MAGHINE.

.EEEGXFICATIOH forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,446, dated March 23, 189'7.

Application filed November 2, 1896. Serial No. 610,824. (No model.)

To ctZZ whont 215' may conceive.-

Be it known that I, FEANoIs It. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States. residing at llart ford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful li'nprovements in XVeighing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighingmachines for automatically weighing predetermined quantities of material, granular or otherwise; and it has for its object the pro vision of improved mechanism of this type by means of which sluggish materials may be positively delivered to the load-receiver and positively discharged therefrom without clogging the stream-controlling and load-discharging devices.

My present invention is in the nature of an improvement upon those shown in my applications, Serial No. (309,199, filed October 17, 1896, and Serial No. 606,379, filed September 19, 1896.

One of the important features of my present improvements is a stream-controller comprising a suitable feeder-carrier supporting an endless feeder and having a movement independent of the traveling movement of its feeder for the purpose of cooperating with suitable stream-supplying means to cut off the stream therefrom. In the preferred construction this feeder-carrier oscillates'about an axis passing through the supply of material flowing from a suitable source or chute and closes the mouth of said chute by a swinging movement divided into two periods, in the former of which it reduces the supply of material from a stream of relatively large volume to a small drip-stream, while in the latter it entirely cuts off this drip-stream. This operation of the feeder-carrier for varying the area of the opening through which the material is supplied to the weighing mechanism may be entirely independent of the operation of the endless feeder for posi tively advancing the material supported on the upper run thereof, it being obvious that this endless feeder may be caused to travel either during the whole of the time when the supply-opening is delivering its stream or during any desired portion or portions of this period.

Another important object of the invention is to provide as a part of the weighing mechanism a pair of load-dischargers, both of which are operative on the weighing of each load, one of these load-disehargers being usually in the form of a closer for controlling the outlet through which the weighed load is delivered, while the other will be in the form of a load-discharging conveyor, preferably endless, supported on a carrier fixed to the bucket in such a position as to close the main portion of the mouth of the latter and support the load which has been made up by the weighing mechanism.

As it is very important in a properly-com strueted machine of this type that all of the operations should take place in a predetermined order, I deem it necessary to control the movements of the feeder-carrier and the load-dischargers by means of interlocking devices which will positively prevent interference with the proper sequence of operations of these main elements and their cooperative mechanisms.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation of an automatic weighing-machine embodying my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional front elevation of a portion of the devices at the lower left-hand side, as seen in Fig. 1, this view illustrating means for actuating a belt-shipper, hereinafter more particularly referred to, for throwing off the belt from the driving-pulley of the load-discharging conveyer by the action of. a suitable regulatorhopper. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with parts removed, of the machine shown in Fig. l, the view being taken looking from the left-hand side in said figure and showing the streamcontroller in position to deliver a full stream to the weighing mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the streamcontroller and adjacent parts, illustrating the positions assumed by said controller at the beginning of the reducing period for delivering a drip-stream to the load-receiver. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the supply entirely cut off and the load discharging from the bucket. Fig. (3 is a side elevation of the machine looking from the right in Fig. 1, and illustrates the positions of the parts just prior to the final cut off of the stream. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional detail front elevations of the mechanism shown at the lower left-hand side in Fig. 1, and illustrate the positions of the drivingbelt for the load-discharging conveyor and of coupling mechanism therefor, hereinafter more particularly referred to, when said parts are in their respective idle and working positions; and Figs. 9 and 10 are detail side clevations illustrating different positions of a modified form of stream-oontroller, which will be described in detail hereinafter.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The framework illustrated in the present case for supporting the several operative parts of my improved weighing-machine comprises a chambered supporting-base 3, having a pair of sine frames 2 and t rising therefrom and connected at their upper ends by means of a cross-beam or top plate 5, which may carry the usual hopper ll for supplying material to the load-receiver of the weighing mechanism.

Ieforring first to Figs. 1 to S, inclusive, the load-receiver is in the present case a bucket G, pivotally supported by suitable knife-edge hearings on scalebeams l3 and 13, which in turn are mounted in a similar manner on the base 3 of the framework. As before stated, the stream -controller, which regulates the supply of material to the bucket G, com prises a feeder-carrier and a feeder, the former of which is designated in a general way by V and may be advantageously mounted for oscillation at one end thereof on a shaft 72, journaled in bearings in the side frame 2 and the left-hand hanger 5, depending from the top plate 5, and at the other end thereof supported for oscillation in the side frame a and in the r.ighthand hanger 5, depending from said top plate. The body portion of this carrier comprises in the present case two end pieces 7 and 7, rigidly connected with each other, the former having a sleeve 8 integral therewith and supported by the bearing in the left-hand hanger and forming a long journal for the shaft 72, while the other end piece 7 has an integral shaft 8 extending therefrom in aiinoment with the sleeve 8 and with the shaft "[2 and is supported, as before stated, by theside frame t and the righthand hanger The feeder or endless conveyor is designated in a general way by if and is carried around a series of rollers journaled for rotation in the end pieces 7 and 7 of the carrier. One of these rollers, which designated by 9, constitutes a driver for actuating a scraper or rotary brush 10, also supported by the end pieces 7 and 7', while the other rollers are indicated herein by 9' and serve to properly position and support the endless feeder when the latter is driven by its actuating means. All of these rollers have their inner faces in an arc struck from the axis of oscillation of the carrier.

In the present case I prefer to employ for imparting traveling movements to the feeder F a rotary driving means in the form of a driver 12, having its axis of movement coincident with that of the feeder-carrier. This driver 12 maybe fixedly secured to the inner end of the shaft 72 in posit-ion to frictionally engage the left-hand edge of the upper run of the feeder F and actuate the same when the shaft 72 is rotated. For the purpose of properly guiding the right-hand edge of said run I prefer to support loosely upon the inwardly-extonding end (not shown) of the shaft 8 a guide 12, corresponding to the driver12.

The feedor-carrier may be balanced by suitable weights 90 in the usual manner, and will have actuators for closing and opening the mouth of the supply-chute ll. The actuator for operating the controller to cut off the stream may be a couutorweighted lever 500, mounted on the side frame t and operating upon the face of a cam 50], secured to the shaft 8, (see Figs. 1 and 6,) while the actuator for openin the chute to supply material to the bucket is in the nature of a counterweighted lever 550, pivotally supported on the inner end of the scale-beam l3 and operative for transmitting its movements to a thrust-rod 51S, pivotally connected with the sleeve 8, (see Figs. 1, 3, and 5,) this thrustrod also having a connection to the frame 2 by means of a suitable link 520.

For the purpose of holding the feeder-carrier against oscillation during the reducing period, to thereby permit a drip-stream to be supplied to the bucket, a drip-lever, such as 525, Figs. 1 and t3, may be employed, this lever being of the usual construction and posi tioned so as to be engaged by a bypass stop during the reducing period and released by said stop at the moment of the cut-off of the stream.

it will be apparent that in order to properly food the material from the hopperllinto the bucket the feeder i and hence the feederdriver 12, should be operative while i he mouth of the chute is open and during the closing movement of the stream-controller, and espeeially during the :istream-reducing movement of the latter.

As before stated, the driver 2 is carried by the shaft 72, and this shaft will be intermittently operated in the present instance by a driving-belt 13, shiftable from a loose pulley 1i to a fast pulley 15, both of which pulleys may be supported on said driving-shaft.

For the purpose of throwing the belt 13 from one of these pulley s to the other I have provided bolt-shipping means operative by the feeder-carrier. The be tshipper may be in the form of an angle-lcver pivotally supported on the side frame 2 of the machine, the long arm 16 of said angle-lever constituting the shipper proper, while the short arm 17 connected to a link 18, the upper end of which cooperates with and fits in a bifurcation of a slotted link 19, pivoted to an arm 20, projecting from the sleeve 8. The slot in the link 19 is in the present instance of such length that the belt-shipper 16 will not be actuated to throw off the belt 13 until the cutoff movement of the stream-controller takes place, and, on the other hand, it will not be effective to throw on the belt after the dis charge of a load until the stream-controller is oscillated to its open position. (Shown in Fig. The lever-arm 17 may also have pivotally connected thereto a rod 21, the lower end of which is pivoted to a locking-stop 22, forming one of a series of load-dischargingmovement limiters, which in connection with correspondingload-supplying-movement lim iters constitute an interlocking mechanism by means of which all of the movements of the principal elements may be positively controlled.

All of the load-supplying-movement limiters are operative with the load-discharger or load-disehargers of the weighing mechanism,

and the load-disehargiug-movement limiters are operative with the stream-controlling mechanism. The load-supplying-movement limiters are effective alternately with the load discharging movemen t limiters, an d these sets are preferably reciprocally effective. Moreover, where a plurality of loaddischargers is employed the movements of these parts, when all are operative on the weighing of each load, as is the case in the presentinstance, will preferably be positively dependent the one upon the other, and each of these will have a separate load-supplyingmovement limiter cooperative with the interlocking mechanism of the stream-eontrollin g device. In like manner the movements of the separately-operative portions of the streamcontroller will be positively regulated, the feeder-carrier and the feeder having in this case separate load discharging movement limiters, each operative for preventing the discharge of the load until the supply of material to the bucket is entirely cut oil.

In connection with the endless feeding-com veyer and with the endless load-discharging conveyer a conveyer-movement limiter is em ployed, which is so operative with one of said feeders that it will limit the movement of the other, and preferably alternately-ell'ective conveyer-movement limiters are employed, one of which is operative with one conveycr and the other with the other conveyer. In the preferred construction these limiters or stops are operative with couplers or beltshippers for coupling the respective conveyers to suitable driving means, and these steps operate to block said coupling movements-that is to say, in this case they block the shifting of the driving-belts from their respective loose pulleys to the corresponding fast pulleys.

As hereinbefore stated, the stop 22 is one of the load-discharging-movement limiters. The others are herein shown at and 2%. The cooperative load-supplying-movement limiters orstops are designated, respectively,

by 42, 4:3, t3, and M. The load-dischargingmovement limiter 22 is pivoted to the side frame 2 of the machine, and the corresponding limiter 2a is pivoted on the side of the bucket, these two limiters being connected, preferably, by means of a universal connection between the extension 22 of the stop 22 and a rock-arm 2t, secured to a sleeve 25, which carries the stop 24 and is supported for oscillation on a stud 26, projecting from the side of the bucket. The two steps 22 and 2-l cooperate, respectively, with the stops a2 and at, the last two mentioned being operative, respectively, with a pair of load-dischargers, one of which is in the form of a swinging closer controlling the outlet-opening from the bucket through which the material is delivered, while the other load-discharger may be an endless conveyer supported by carrying members fixed on the bucket, this eonveyer being constructed to close the bottom of the bucket and to have a traveling movement for delivering the lead through the outletepening at the delivery end thereof when. the closer is shifted to uncover said opening.

The shiftable or swinging load-discharger or closer (designated herein in a general way by L) is pivoted to the sides of the bucket, its axis of movement being in the central vertical plane of the load-receiver G, and in the present case when the load is made up the outer end of said closer will swing upward and thereby uncover the opening at the delivery end of the eonveyer.

The lead-discharging conveyer is designated in a general way by C, and is mounted on rotary carriers or rollers 50 and 51, journaled for rotation in brackets or hangers 52 and 53, depending from the sides of the bucket. The roller 50 constitutes the driver for the conveyer and has its shaft extended through the left-hand hanger 53, as seen in Figs. 1 and 7, and is enlarged to form a stop 50, while at the extreme outer end of this shaft there is another step 50. Between these steps a pulley is mounted on the shaft, and this pulley constitutes the driver or fast pulley for operating the roller 50, and thereby driving the endless conveyor 0. As this pulley is shown, however, it is loosely mounted on said shaft and has a limited amount of free rotary movement besides being slidable on the shaft for the purpose of coupling it or making it fast to the shaft. The means employedin the present instance for this purpose is a friction-coupling which embodies a cam operative for sliding this pulley along the rotary carrier or shaft and coupling it thereto when the driving-belt for the endless cenveyer fl is shifted onto said pulley. This friction-coupling is preferably formed by a pair of curved cam-faces oblique to the axis of the rotary carrier or shaft, one of these cam-faces, 55, being formed on the stop 50, while the other, 56, is formed on the end of the hub of the pulley 51-, (see Figs.

1, '7, and 8,) the construction and organization of the steps and 50" and the pulley being such that when the pulley is moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that illus trated in Fig. 8 the cam-faces and 56 will cause the wedging of the hub of said pulley between the steps so and 50 before the pulley has made a half-revolution and preferably at about the time it has completed a quarterrevolution and thus couple the pulley to the carrier 50.

A loose pulley cooperative with the pulley 5-1- is represented at 57 and is supported for rotation on the side of the base 3 of the machine, clearly shown in Figs. 7 and S. This loose pulley normally supports thereon a drivingbelt 5S, bymeans of which the conveyor C is driven, and for the purpose of shift ing said belt from one of these pulleys to the other I may employ a belt-shipper 5f), the operation of which is reciprocal to that of ti e belt-shipper 16.

The belt-shipper 59 is secured in the present case to a rock-shaft 62, journaled in brackets (50, extendinginward from the u ,per left-han d side of the base 3, the movement of the beltshipper for throwing on the belt being controlled by a counterweight til, integral with said belt-shipper, while its movement for throwing off the belt will preferably be effected by connections from a regulator or hopper Rpvhich will be more partici'ilarlyr ferred to hereinafter.

The stop -12, which cooperates with that shown at 22, is also fixed on the shaft (52, and hence moves in unison with the belt-shippcr 59, these steps and the belt-shippers for the drivingbelts 13 and 58 being so organized that the stops are reciprocally effective, and each serves, in turn, to block the operation of the other. The shaft 62 also controls the operation of the load-supplyirig-movement liniiter or stop L3, said shaft having a rock-arm 63, secured thereto at the rear end thereof, which rock-arm actuates a connecting-rod 0t, connected with the stop 43, the connection between said rod and stop being preferably such as to permit a slight vertical movement of these parts relatively to each other.

The load-supplying-movement limiter or stop .iczi: is in fixed relation with the closer l and has its axis of movement coincident th erewith, this stop being so disposed as to cooperate with the load-dischargingnnovement limiter 2%. The stop-faces of these two oscillatory members are in the present instance laterally-projeeting flanges, the outer face of that on the stop 2t coacting with the upper end of that on the stop tito block the movement of the latter when the parts are in the positions shown in 3,while the inner face of the flange on the stop tiengages the rear end of the flange on the stop 2t to block the return movement of the latter when the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 5.

The closer L is intended to be shifted from its closed to its open position on the coupling of the pulleyot to its rotarycarrier and preferably by connections from said pulley. In the construction illustrated herein the closer has connected thereto a link (JG, pivoted to a rock-arm (37, fixed on the rear end of a rockshaft (37, journaled in a bearing OS on the side of the bucket and having secured to its forward end a second rock-arm (37, the free end of which is in position to engage the pulley 5t and force the same on the return of the closer to its shut position to slide on the rotary carrier from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that illustrated in Fig. 7.

it should be understood that on the un couplin of the pulley 51- on its return to its idle position (shown in Figs. 1 and 7) the closer L is shut by its own weight, the body portion of the valve in the rear of its axis being effective in opposition to the force of its balance-weights.

I prefer to employ a regulator for the purpose of controlling the uncoupling of the lead-discharging conveyor from its driving means and for permitting the shutting of the closer 1, this regulator being in the present case in the form of a hopper jonrnaled in. hangers 80, forming part of the base I said hopper being counter-weighted in advance of its axis and having a rock-arm 81 secured to one of its trunnions (see lflgS. 2 and 3) and pivotally connected to a rod 82 for actuating the belt-shipper 55) to shift the belt 58 from the pulley S t on the loose pulley 57. The upper end of this red is hooked at 2 for the purpose of engaging a stop 83 (shown in Fig. 2) on the outer end of a rock-arm 8; seoured to the rock-shaft ($2. This step is in the form of a by-pass which will be engaged by the hook 82 when the hopper is in the position shown in Fig. 5, and on the return of said hopper to the position shown in will be actuated from the position illustrated in dotted lines to that indicated in full lines in Fig. 2.

In connection with the conveyor O, Iprefer to employ scraper or rotary brush St, similar to that illustrated at 10, the brush St being supported in the present instance, however, for rotation in bearings in the hangers 52 and driven by means of a belt 85, operated from the rotary carrier 50, it being obvious that this brush will serve to remove any material which may adhere to the face of the belt C.

in order that the upper run of the loaddischarging conveyor may be maintained in position for closing the bottom of the bucket G, i prefer to provide supporting-rollers 86, on. which this upper run may rest, these rollers being carried by suitable brackets 87, depending from the sides of the bucket.

in Figs. 0 and 10 l have illustrated a modiiication of my invention in which the steamcontroller is not oscillatory about an axis passing through the stream of material, but reciprocates beneath the mouth of the supply-chute ii. In this case the feeder-carrier V is in the form of a traveler supported for reciprocation on a bed 95 and is operated by a link connection controlled by a counterweight 90, mounted on a shaft 72, the link (shown at 90) being pivotally connected to a rook-arm 97, secured to the shaft 72, to which shaft the counterweight is fixed, as are also the load-discharging-movement limiter 23 and an arm 98, to the latter of which is pivoted a thrust-rod 51S, controlled by an actuator (not shown) for operating the feeder from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 to that indicated by full lines in Fig. 9. This thrust-rod and the rock -arm 98 also control the movements of a slotted link 18 for coupling the driving-wheel D to and uncoupling it from the main driving-shaft 99, this driving-wheel serving to control the movements of a driving-belt 18 for operating the endless feeder F. It will be noticed that this feeder F is driven by a band-wheel 15 on the reciprocating traveler Y and that the driving-belt swings with the movement of said traveler.

The load-supplying-movement limiter, cooperative with the stop 23, is shown at 4:3 and is mounted on the side of the bucket G.

The operation of a machine constructed in accordance with my present improvements, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8,inclusive,of the d rawings, is as follows: It being understood that the several operative mechanisms and devices are in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3, that the full stream is being delivered from the supply-spout into the bucket, that the belt 13 is on the fast pulley 15 and is rotating the shaft '72, that the closer I. is shut, that the conveyer C is still, owing to the fact that the driving-belt 58 is on the loose pulley 57, and that the regulatonhopper R is held up by its counterweight, it will be apparent that the driver 12 will rotate and impart a traveling movement to the feeder F and thereby rotate the rollers 9 and 9, and also drive the brush 10 to keep the outer surface of the feedingconveyor clean. As soon as the main portion of the load is made up in the bucket the latter will begin to descend, and thereupon as the arms of the scale-beams descend the actuator 500, cooperating with the cam 50] will become effective to oscillate the feeder-carrier of the stream-controller and will carry the same to the position shown in Fig. &, whereupon the drip-1e ver 525 will engage the stop 5% (see Fig. 6) and the feeder-carrier will be held against further oscillation during the reducing period and until the cut-off of the stream. As soon as the bucket is overpoised the stop 526 will release the drip-lever and thereby permit the actuator 500 to become effective to close the i feeder-carrier across the mouth of the supply I hopper with a rapid movement. Duringthe whole of the stream -supplying period the feeder F is actuated positively to feed the ma terial off from the forward end thereof into i the bucket, but when the stream is cut oif the operates the belt-shipper 16 to shift the belt 13 from the fastpulley 15 on the loose pulley 14:, thus stopping the rotation of the driver 12, the traveling movement of the feeder F, and the rotation of the brush 10. At the same time the stop 22 is withdrawn from. engagement with the stop 42 and the stop 2i from engagement with the stop l-l, as shown in Fig. 5, and thereupon the counterweight (31 becomes effective to shift the belt-shipper 59 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that illustrated in Fig. 8. As soon as the belt 58 is on the pulley 5a the latter begins to rotate while in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and the cam-face 56, riding up the face of the stop 50, causes the shifting of the pulley 5a to the right and wedges it between the stops 50 and 50" after said pulley has made about a quarter-revolution. The positive shifting of this pulley by the action of the driving-belt 58 also causes the angle-lever 07 to draw the link 02 and thereby operate the closer L to uncover the outlet-opening in the bucket at the delivery end of the load-discharging conveyor Q. It should be noted that this uncovering of the outlet-opening will take place just before the pulley 54: is coupled fast to the rotary carrier 50, and that as soon as this coupling action is com pleted the conveyor 0 will begin to travel and positively feed the material comprising the load to discharge such material into the reg:ilator-hopper R. The regulator will be shifted immediately by the weight of the mass discharged thereinto from the position shown in Fig. to that represented in Fig. 5, thus carrying the hooked end 82 of the beltshipping rod 82, past the by-pass S3, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The shifting of the belt-shipper 59 by means of the weight (ll also causes the connecting-rods 6a and to carry the stops l3 and 43 to the positions shown in Fig. 5, where they will be effective to prevent the opening movement of the stream-eontroller until they are withdrawn. The steps l-l and 1-2 will at the same time become effective to lock the stops 2% and 22, respectively, so as to block the throwing on of the belt 123 untilsaidst-ops are released. Until the conveyer 0 stops traveling the closer L will be held open by the operating connections 1 herefor controlled by the pulley 54, and the movement of this conveyor will not cease until all of the material shall have been discharged from the bucket andpassed out of the regulator R. As soon, however, as this regulator returns to the position shown in Fig. {5 the hooked end 82 of the actuating-rod 82 will engage the stop 83 and move the same from the position shown in dottedlines to that illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2, thus oscillating the rock-shaft (32 and shifting the beltshipper 59 back to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7. Thereupon the stop a2 is withdrawn from the stop 22, but the stream-com troller is still blocked by the stops l-l, 24;, 4&3, and a3, and hence neither the feeder nor the link 19 immediately draws up the link 18 and belt-shipper for the feeder can be actuated.

On the shifting of the belt-shipper 59, how ever, the rotation of the pulley 5i and the traveling movement of the load-discharging conveyor cease and the weight of the rear end of the closer becomes e'lfeetive to shut the same, whereupon the operating connections 66, 6'7, and 67 cause the arm 67" of the anglelever to force the pulley 5% to the left, as seen in Figs. 1 and 7, the angles of the cam-faces 55 and 56 being sufficiently steep to permit this pulley to be shifted readily to the position illustrated in these figures, it being obvious that the driving-pulley will rotate slightly (about a quartcr-revolution) in returning to its idle position. As soon as the closer closes the stop ii is withdrawn from engagement with the stop and the stop i3 from engagement with the stop 23, itbeing apparent that the stop l3 has been previously withdrawn from engagement with the stop 23 by the oscillation of the rock-shaft 02. All of these steps being new unlocked, the actuator 550, which on the discharge of the first portion of the load from the bucket was carried to the position shown in Fig. 5 and its movement for actuating the stream controller blocked, becomes effective to operate the stream-controller from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that illustrated ll Fig. 3, to thereby uncover the mouth of the supply chute and permit the delivery of the stream for the making up of a new lead. At the same time the connections from the shaft 72 cause the shifting of the belt-shipper 16 to throw on the belt 13 again and carry the steps 22 and 21- into position to block the load-discharging movements of the closer L nd the conveyor 0.

Having described my invention, I elaim 1. The combination with stream-supplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the su1: ply-stream to vary the size of said stream.

2. The combination. with stream-supplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a reciprocatory feeder carrier and an endless band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream.

The combination with streamsupplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of an oscillatory feeder carrier and an endlessband feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream. to vary the size of said stream.

4. The combination with strcam-supplying means, of a stream -controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and separate actuators for the carrier and feeder.

5. The combination with stream-supplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and rotary driving means for actuating said feeder.

(i. The combination with stream-supplying means, of a stream -controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier andan endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and intermittentlyrotative driving means for actuating said feeder.

7. The combination with streamsupplying means, of a stream controller cooperative therewith and consisting of an oscillatory feeder-carrier and. an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; andafeederdriver having its axis of movement coincident with that of the carrier.

8. The combination witl streanrsupplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and eonsistii'ig of an oscillatory feeder-carrier and an endles-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and a rotary feeder-driver having its axis of movement coincident with that of the carrier.

9. The combination with stream-shpplying means, of a strez'iin-eontroller cooperative therewith and consisting of an oscillatory feeder-carrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and a rotary feeder-driver engaging one of the runs of the feeder and having its axis of movement co incident with that of the carrier.

10. The combination with stream-supplyiiig means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and comprising an oscillatory feed carrier, a plurality of rollers having their inner faces in an arc struck from the axis of oscillation of the carrier, an endless-band feeder movable across the path of th si'ioply-stream to vary the size of said stream carried by said rollers; and a feeder-drivel. engaging the inner run of the feeder and having its axis of movement coincident with that of the carrier.

11. The combination with strez'nn-supplying means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and eonsistii'ig of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; actuating means for imparting a closing movement to the streamcontroller; and a feeder-d river operative during said closing movement of the stream-controller.

12. The combination with stream-supplying means, of a streaiii-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; actuating means for imparting streamreducing and cut-off movements to the stream-controller; and a feederdriver operative during said stream-redueing movement of the streanrcontroller.

13. The combination with stream-supply means, of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and a scraper supported on said carrier and cooperative with said feeder.

14C. The combination with stream-supplying means, of astream-controller cooperative therewith and consistin of a movable feedercarrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the path of the supply-stream to vary the size of said stream; and a rotary scraper supported on said carrier and cooperative with said feeder.

15. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with an endless feeding conveyor and with an endless load-discharging conveyor supported on the weighing mechanism of said machine and movable therewith during the weighing of the load; of actuating means for said conveyers; and a eonveyermovement limiter operative with one of said conveyors, for limiting the movement of the other.

16. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with an endless feeding conveyer and with an endless loat -discharging oonveyer supported 011 the weighing mechanism of said machine and movable therewith during the weighing of a load; of actuating means for said conveyers; and alternatelyeffective conveyer-movement limiters operative, respectively, with said conveyors.

17. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with an endless fGCdlllg-(JO11 veyer and with an endless load-discharging weighing-conveyer for supporting the load while the material is being weighed; of actuating means for said conveyors; and alternately-effective conveyer-movement limiters operative, respectively, with said conveyors.

18. In an automatic weighing-1nachine, the combination with an endless feedingconveyer and with an endless load-discharging conveyer; of actuating means for said conveyers; automatic couplers between said actuating means and said respective conveyers; and alternately-efiective stops operative, respectively, with said couplers for blocking the coupling-movements of each of said couplers, respectively, while the other is coupled.

19. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with an endless feeding-conveyer and with an endless load-discharging conveyer; of fast pulleys for driving said con veyers; loose pulleys for said conveyers; drivin g-belts, one for each conveyer; belt-shippers for shifting said belts from the loose pulleys to the fast pulleys, and vice versa; and alternately-effective stops operative,respectively, with said belt-shippers, for blocking the shiftin g of each of said belts, respectively, onto the other fast pulley while the other belt is on its fast pulley.

20. In an automatic weighlug-machine, the

combination with the framework; of an endless feeding-conveyer; an endless load-discharging conveyer supported on the weighing mechanism of the machine and movable therewith d nring the weighing of the load; and alternately effective conveyer movement limiters supported on the framework and operative, respectively, with said conveyers.

21. In an automatic weighingmachine, the combination, with stream-controlling means; of a closer and a force-feed load-diseharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; and alternately effective load supplyingmovement and load-dischargirig-movement limiters, the former operative with the closer and said load-discharger, and the latter with the stream-controlling means.

22. In an automatic weighing-maehine, the combination, with stream-controlling means, of a closer and a force-feed load-discharger successively operative on the weighing of each load; and alternately eftective load-supplying-movement and load-discharging-move ment limiters, the former operative with the closer and said load-discharger, and the latter with the stream-controlling means.

23. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with stream-controlling means and with a bucket having a discharge-opening at the delivery end of the load-discharg ing eonveyer; of a closer for said opening; means for actuating the closer to uncover said opening; a load-discharging conveyer operative on the opening of the closer; and alter nately effective load supplying movement and load-discharging-movement limiters, the former operative with the closer and the con veyer and the latter with the stream-controlling means.

A. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with stream-controlling means and with a bucket having a discharge-opening at the delivery end of the load-discharging conveyer; of a closer for said opening; means for actnatingthe closer to uncover said opening; an endless load-discharging conveyer operative on the opening of the closer; and alternately-el'tective lead-snpply-movement and load-discharging-niovement limit ers, the former operative with the closer and the eonveyer and the latter with the streamcontrolling means.

25. In an automatic weighing machinc, the combination, with streamcontrolling means; of a closer and a force-feed load-discharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; and two pairs of alternatcly-elfective loadsupplying-movement and load-dischargingmovement limiters, one pair operative with the closer and with the stream-controlling means, and the other pair operative with said load-discharger and said streamcontrolling means.

26. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-controlling means; of a closer and a force-feed load-discharger, both operative on the weighing of each load;

ICC

and two simultaneously-operative pairs of alternately effective load supplying move ment' and load-diseharging-mevemen t limiters, one pair operative with the closer and with the stream-controlling means, and the other pairoperative with said iead-discharger and said stream-eontrolling means.

27. In an automatic weighirig-machine, the combination, with stream-controlling means; of a closer and a force-feed load-diseharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; two pairs of alternately-effective loadsnpplying movement and load dischargingmovementlimiters, one pair operative with the closer and with the stream-controllino; means, and the other pair operative with said. load-discharger and said stream-controlling means; and connections between the load discharging-movementlimiters, foractuating them simultaneo sly.

28. In an automatic weighing-maehine, the combination, with an endless feeder and with means for actuating the same; of a closer and a forcefeed load-discharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; and two pairs of alternately-effective load-sup- 1 )lying movement and lead dischargingmovement limiters, one pair operative with the closer and with the feeder, and the other pair operative with said load-disclnn'ger and said feeder.

29. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with stream-supplying means; of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feeder-carrier and a feeder movable across the supply-stream; a load-discharger; and alternatelyffeetive load-supplying-movement and load-discharging-movement limiters, the former operative with the load-discharge! and the latter with the feeder-carrier and with the feeder.

30. in an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with stream-supplying means; of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and consisting of a movable feeder-carrier and an endless-band feeder movable across the supply-stream, to vary the size of said stream; a feeder-actuator; a load-diseharger; and alternatelyeffective load snpplying movement and loaddischarging-movement limiters, the former operative with the loaddiseharger and the latter with the feeder-earrier and with the feeder-actuator.

31. In an automatic weighing-maehine, the combination, with stream-supplying means, of a stream-controller. cooperative therewith and comprising a movable feeder-carrier and a feeder movable across the supply-stream; a eloserand a force-feed load-diseharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; and alternately effective load supplying -movement and load-discharging-movement limiters, the former operative with the close" and said load-discharger, and the latter with the feeder-carrier and the feeder.

In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-snmxlying means,

of a streaiii-controllercooperative therewith and comprising a movable feeder-carrier and an endless feeder; afeeder-actuator; a closer and a force-feed load-diseharger, both operative on the weighing of each load; and alternately-effective load-supplyingmovement and load-discharging-movement limiters, the forn'ier operative with the closer and said load-discharger,and the latt or with the feedercarrier and the feeder-actuator 3 In an aut'tmiatie weighing-maehine, the combination with stream-supplying means; of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and comprising a movable feeder-carrier and an endless feeder; a feeder-actuatm'; a load- I discharger and an endless load-discharging conveyor, both operative on the weighing of each load; a conveyer-aetuat'or for said leaddischarging conveyor; and alternately-effective load-supplying-movement and load-dis charging-movementlimiters, the former open ative with the loznl-dischargcr and with the conveyor-actuator and the latter with the feeder-carrier and the feeder-actuator.

J-l. In an automatic weighing-niacinno, the combination with stream-supp]ying means; of a strewn-controller cooperative therewith and eomprisinga movable feeder-carrier and an endless feeder; a load-discharger and an endless load-diseharging conveyor, both operative on the weighing of each load; driving means for the feeder and said conveyor; a feeder-coupler and a eonveyer-coupler for alternz'ttel y coupling the feeder and conveyor to, and uncoupling them from, the driving means; and alternately-eft'ective load-supplying-movement and load-discharging-movoment limiters, the former operative with. the load-discharge]: and with the conveyor-coupler and the latter with the feeder- *arrier and the feeder-coupler.

35. In an amtomatic weighing-maehine, the combination with strealit-supplying means; of a stream-controller cooperative therewith and eeu'lprisinga movable it"eeder-carrier and an endless feeder; a load-discharger and an endlessload-discharging conveyor, both operative on the weighing of each load; a drivingbelt for the feeder; a driving-belt for said conveyor; a fast pulley and a loose pulley for each of said driving-belts; belt-shippers for said driving-belts; and alternately-etlfective load-supplying-movement and load-dischargingnnovenient limiters, the former operative with the load-diseharger and with the beltshipper for the feeder-driving belt and the latter operative with the feeder-carrier and with the belt-shipper for the conveyer-driving belt.

36. In an automatic weighing-machine, the combination with a stream-control]er; of a bucket having a closer and an endless loaddiseharging conveyor; means for actuating the stream-controller, the closer, and. said conveyor; and alternatiely-effective load-supplying-movement and loaddischarging-movement limiters, the former operative with the traaee e stream-con troller and the latter supported on the bucket and operative, respectively, with the closer and the load-discharger.

37. The combination With a loose pulley, of a driving-belt normally carried thereon; beltshipping means; a rotary carrier; a pulley loosely mounted on said carrier and slidable thereon; and a friction-coupling embodying a cam operative for sliding said second pulley along the rotary carrier and coupling it thereto, on the shifting of the driving-belt, onto said pulley.

38. The combination with a loose pulley, of a driving-belt normally carried thereon beltshipping means; a rotary carrier; a pair of stops on said carrier, one having a camface, oblique to the aXis of the carrier; and apulley loosely mounted on said carrier and slidable thereon between said stops and having a cam-face cooperative With that of the stop and in position and adapted for sliding said pulley along the rotary carrier and coupling it thereto, on the shifting of the drivingbelt, onto said pulley.

30. In an automatic Weighing-machine the combination with a bucket having a closer and also having an endless load-discharging conveyer; of a rotary carrier for said CO11 veyer aloose pulley; a driving-belt normally carried on said pulley; belt-shipping means; a pulley loosely mounted on the rotary carrier and slidable thereon; a friction-coupling embodying a cam operative for sliding said pulley along the rotary carrier and coupling it thereto, on the shifting of the driving-belt, onto said pulley; and pulley-shifting means for returning said pulley to its normal position.

40. In an automatic \veighing-machine, the combination with a buckethaving a closer and also having an endless load-discharging conveyor; of a rotary carrier for said conveyor; aloose pulley; a d riving-belt normally carried on said pulley; belt-shipping means; a pulley loosely mounted on the rotary carrier and slidable thereon; a friction-coupling embodying a cam operative for sliding said pulley along the rotary carrier and coupling it thereto, on the shifting of the driving-belt, onto said pulley; and closer-operated pulleyshifting means for returning said pulley to its normal position.

41. In a Weighing-machine, the combination with a bucket having a closer and also having an endless load-dischargin g conveyor; of a rotary carrier for said conveyor; a loose pulley; a driving-belt normally carried on said pulley; belt-shipping means; a pulley loosely mounted on said carrier and slidable thereon and operative for actuating the closer to open the same 011 the coupling of said pulley to the rotary carrier; a friction-coupling embodying a cam operative for sliding said second pulley along the rotary carrier and coupling itthereto, on the shifting of the driving-belt, onto said pulley; and closer-operated pulley-shifting means for returning said pulley to its normal position.

FRANCIS II. RICHARDS. lVitnesses:

F. N. UHAsE, BENTON N. PARKER. 

